Phelps man sent to hospital after shooting himself

A Phelps man is in guarded condition at Strong Memorial Hospital, in Rochester, after shooting himself while cleaning his handgun, said Ontario County sheriff's deputies.

A Phelps man is in guarded condition at Strong Memorial Hospital, in Rochester, after shooting himself while cleaning his handgun, said Ontario County sheriff's deputies.

According to police, Nicholas P. Tavano, 27, of 143 Avery Road, was cleaning his Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in his bathroom around 9:40 p.m. Nov. 15, when the gun discharged. The round struck Tavano in the area of his left thigh and exited out the back of his knee, police said.

He was sent to Strong by the Phelps Ambulance.

Other family members were home at the time of the incident, but were not injured, deputies said. The case is currently under investigation.